Signal-torpedo.



No. 825,201. PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

' F. BUTCHER.

SIGNAL TORPEDO. APILIOATION FILED A PE.13,1905.

anvenio'z Q/vilhuzawo I .tain improved practical results.

- and the resistance from the explosion mate- FRANK BUTCHER, or vnnsernnns, PENNsrLVANm.

$HQNAL=TO%PED= no. sensor.

ESpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented m a, less.

Application an April 13, 1905. Serial No. 256,813.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK lDUTOHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Versailles, in the countyof Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Railway-Track Signal-Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

' This invention relates to improvements in railway-track signal-torpedoes and is made of a non-metallic material for the purpose of preventing the flying of particles of metal and the consequent injury to persons who may happen to be in the path of any of these flying pieces of metal.

y present invention is an improvement upon my Patent No. 610,672, granted September 13, 1898.

One object of my present invention is the relative arrangement or direction of exten sion of the rail-engaging strap in respect to the torpedo',whereby the tor edo will assume a position on'the track at riglit angles to that assumed by the torpedo in my before-mentionedpatent and to thereby accomplish cer- Anotner o ject of my present'invention is to so form t e aper or non-metallic casing that contains the explosive compound that it is materially. strengthened and stiffened rially increased and altogether thereby a more durable and eficient torpedo of the nonmetallic type is provided. Afurther object of my present invention is to rovide an improved strengthening and st" ening covering for the paper-case and to at the same time so arrange the rail-attaching strap in relation to the casing andthe, covering that the covering performs the additional function of uniting the rail-engaging strap in an efiicient manner to the said paper is to'so construct the aper casing that the rail-engaging strap is eld between the casiplg and'the covering therefor that the strap 7 '1 not have any ateral movement in respect to the casing or covering.

My present invention further includes certain details of construction having in view certain objects, all of which will be fully understood from the following s accompanying drawings, in w 'ch ecification and Figure 1 is aperspective View of my im-i proved torpedo, showing it in position upon the tread of the track. Fig. 2 1S alongitudinal sectional view throughthe center of the torpedo, also showing it inpositionupon the track. Fig. 3 is anunder erspective'viewof my improved torpedo, tlie coverin being shown in section. Fig. 4 is an un er pery or forced to ether, as shown at 4, which provides, as wil be readily understood, practically longitudinally-extending stifiening-ribs owing to these flattened or crnnped portions. Preferably diagonally-arranged indentations 5 are formed at the same time that the edges 4 are flattened or crimped,-which adds to the stifiness, rigidity, and resisting power of the casing. The detonating compound bis placed within the casing 1, and the ends of the cas ing are suitably closed, preferably by nonmetallic plu s 7, suitably cemented or otherwise secure therein.

For the purpose of adding increased strength, rigidity, durability, and resistin power to the casing i and for the'purpose 0 providing aIsimple and eflicient manner of attaching to the torpedo a rail-engaging memher or strap 8 I coverthe casin with a cloth or fabric 9 and place the said rail-engaging member between the flat bottomof the case and the cover. For the urpose of also addin to the rigidity, dura ilityy and strength 0 the completed torpedo the fabric or cloth covering 9 is passed around the casin in such a manner as to provide a double thickness of the cloth at the bottom of the case. This also provides quite a rigid holding portion for engaging the under side of the strap,.an d thereby more firmly holds the strap in place. This is accomplished by starting the covering at one side 10 of the bottom of the case, passing it around the case and laplping it over the end 10, and carrying it to t e oppositeside 11 of the case.

For the purpose of positively holding the rail-en aging member ainst ateral' movement the flat bottom 2 o the case has pressed therein (preferably at the same time that the crimping of the edges 4 is accomplished) a longitudinally-extending groove 12, of a suitable Width to receive the rail-engaging member 8. By passing the rail-engaging member longitudinal thetorpedo and having its ends extending from the ends of the torpedo it supports thetorpedo in a position transverse the track, and thus presents to the approaching car-wheel a curved surface over which the Wheel readily rides Without any tendency to dislodge it from the tread of the rapidly-moving train,- vvhich might be case if the torpedo is placed longitudinal the tread, and thus avoids the necessity of and the expense of a leader-strap, such as shown in my aforementioned patent. V y it is Well known in the practice that the rails the when Wet become slippery and that it is necessary to properly Waterproof a paper or non-metallic torpedo bya, suitable eirternal Waterproofing.

compound and that at fast-running tram striking the abru t portion of such a torpedo will ire uently s 'de it or knock it oh of the track, t he missing the danger-signal. By making the bottom of the torpedo fiat andar ranging the rail-attaching member so that the torpedo is supported transverse the track With'its curved pOTtlOllLtOl/Vfil'd. the advancing car-Wheel it is found in practice that the wheel will ride .over the round portion of the torpedo and that the fiat bottom portion will prevent the torpedo from rolling in front of the car-wheel,- Which would be the case if the torpedo were made of a round tubeand a flatbottom portion not provided.

I do not limit myself to the details of constructionhe rein shown, because these may be varied so far as the spirit and scope of my invention is concerned Without departing therefrom. j I It will be observed that the curved top provides, in efiect, oppositely tapered or inclined portions, and it will be readil T understood that the taper curve or inc e may extend inone direction only, so far as the broad scope of my invention is concerned; and I desire to have it understood that the term curve in the'specificatio'n and claims s' tis intended to besuficiently generic to in elude such obvious variations, Where not spei cifically defined, to prevent such an interpretationt Having thus described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat- 1. A torpedo having a fiat bottom and a curved top, combined with a rail-attaching member extending from opposite ends thereof and adapted to engage the tread of the rail, and support the torpedo in a position transverse the rail With the curved portion toward the advancing car-Wheel, and the flat portion on. the tread oi the rail, for the pun pose described rail by a eraser 2. A non-metallic track-torpedo composed of a non-metallic'tubHlaf member containing the explosive compound and having a curved v top and a flat bottom, and rail-engaging members extending from opposite ends of the said tubular member, for the pur ose described, and a covering for the tubu ar memher and holding the strap to the under flat side thereof, substantially as described.

3. A. non-metallic track-torpedo composed of a tubular member containing detonatingv compound and having a curved top and a flat bottom, a raihattaching. strap extending longitudinal the said fiat bottom and at the outer side thereof, and a coverfor the tubular member also embracing the said strap for holding it in position, as and for the purpose described. h I

i. A track-torpedo comprising a tubular member containing a detonati'ng compound and having a curved to and a flat bottom, the outer side of'the at bottom having a longitudinal groove, a rail-engaging member located in said groove and having extending ends for engaging the rail, and a member applied to'the bottom of the tubular member and inclosing the said rail-engaging member;

5. An improved nonmetallic torpedo comprising a non-metallic tubular case having a curved top and longitudinally-extending crimped portions, and. a rail-attaching meme ber connected therewith.

6 An improved non-metallic traclr-torpedo comprising a non-metallic tubular member having a curved top and a flat bottom, the said member being crimped at the junction 0t the curved top and the fiat bottom, a detonating compound'within the said tubular member, and arail-attaching device connected to the tubular member.

7 An improved track-torpedo, comprising a non metallic-tubular case containing do tonatin compound and having a curved top IOQ and a at bott0m,'a rail-engagin nemberf applied at the outer side of the ottom, a

. cover passing around the case and embracing said rail-engaging member, the cover overlapping at the bottom of the case to form a double thickness over the rail engaging member. 7 8. An improved non-metallic track-torgedo, comprising a non=metallic tubular case aving a flat bottom and a curved top, and a covering of cloth or fabric doubled at the bottom thereofe 9. An improved nonrmetallic track-tor pedo, comprising a paper tubular case, and a cloth or fabric covering, and a rail-engaging member. connected therewith.

10, An improved non-metallic track-torpedo, comprising a tubular paper case containing 'detonating material, a rail-engaging member, and a cloth or fabric cover inclosing thesaid case and securing the rail-engaging member to the case. i

11. An improved non metallic torpedo; material being double substantiaily in a line 10 comprising a fibrous case, a detonating With the flat portion to constitute a strengthoompound within the case, the fibrous ca'se ening and resisting bead or rib. itself having doubled portions constituting In testimony whereof I afiix my signature strengthening and resisting beads or ribs. presence of two witnesses.

V 12. An improved non-metallic track-tor- FRANK BUTCHER. pedo having a case containing a detonating Witnesses:

compound, the case composed of a fibrous W. 0. BROWN, Jr.,

material and having a flat portion, the fibrous M. C. KLOOK. 

